The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-05
MRS. PoTTER's FIRST NIGHT.
She Acquits Herself Bravoly in the
Presence OF a Remarkable Audience.

Presence OF a Remarkable Audience.
From the New York Times
Mrs. Potter has begun her new career
She stepped upon the stage at the Filth
Avenue thcatcr last night u full Pledged
actress before u mighty usscmhlagc rcprc-
scnting that fashionable society NJ which
she has been a leader. Her experiences in
England somewhat unpleasant, perhaps,
but decidedly useful viii seem insignih-
cant in the cXhilarition of her first triumph.
She has much TO learn. IL is true, but she
has already learned much She mus! moi
| pause 10 rejoice over the victory, but must
push forward with the new Vignr that
ought Ia bc inspired by the warm cncuur-
ngement she has received She has over
come obstacles, hut thcrr are plenty more
IN the road Ia artistic perfection. Yet, for
those impatient people who demand u yer
diet upon the insult of the evening in one
word, that wOrl must be- success" Mn
Potter charmed q large and critical audi
cncc by the force OF personal lovclinesS.
aided by no small degree Of artis
/ tic proficiency. She carried the
burden Of a long and arluous part in a
long and tirsumc play, and sustained the
illusion OF the mimic scene under very
trying circumstances. She cNprCScd the
various emotions effectively with her new.
ly acquired skill, though not with equal
strength in all the scenes. She depicted
| the passion of love with fcrvur aud clio.
qucncc, and showed thorough under.
standing Of every phaS' 81 tine character.
even where she lacked force in the cNrcu-
ton.
The debutanie's former accomplish.
mcnis and limitations ~ un amateur IN the
ART Of acting were well understood hy u
large proportion Of the people who saw
her last night. Among the fashionable
young women Of this city who frequently
appeared, IN sort ui S'mi-public way, IN
amateur performances NJ plays for chnrity's
sake, she was most conspicuous, because
of her beauty, the air ol sHthurity she ear.
ried with her out of private life to the
stage, and her social position. There was
a pcrccptiblc trace oi the real dramatic
gift IN her polite triiling with the ant, hut
it was not developed and her act
ing, II IL could be- called act.
ing, had no merits that were not negative
With I'm attractive presence. an expressive
face, a voice oi pleasing quality, shc shunc
among her asSncatcs ui the amateur stage;
but.shc never accomplished anything that
would have been accepted ~ the work NJ u
| professional PLAYER claiming n high artistic
rank. She rarely retained her grasp II %
character throughout play; she lid not
use her voice properly; she had small
knowledge 81 the meaning aud effect II
gesture and facial cNpr s,ion: she moved
her arms IN an awkward, unlccomng
fashion. She spoke long speeches a. the
hero II the play without looking NJ him
or toward him, aud she glidcd over scenes
of strong passion and emotion with the
careless gracc III n courtcd belle, Who hal
no U.s. for such triilcs rs passion and emo
ton. How much had she learned since
she invested with her radiant beauty the
character Of Polcska dc Tcrmsicin7 That
WIS the iirt question oi the night.
She has overcome the negative faults ol
her amateur acting. She has learned how
Ia walk aud how 10 stand upon tho stage:
she has acquired the ability 10 sustain a
character throughout long play; shr has
developed her taste, aud increased her
knowledge Of pictorial effect She has
gained morc control oi her voice, AMI can
use Il well IN very difficult passages, but
her speech ~ still too mOnUtonOus. She
has not vet overcome the tendency a. move
her arms clumsily, and u not yet proficient
IN the use NJ gesture Ia emphasize ~ illu.
inmate the meaning 81 the text. Nor has
she vet become u mistress III the an 81
facial expression. Her chief fault, IN thi,
direction, IL her tendency toward cxag
grritcd usc II the eyes even IN simple
scenes where perfect Wp1-e II demanded. 4
morc experienced actress than Mn. Potter
however, would have been tempted 10 eN
aggcrltion by the dullnct- ~ the play.